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Oh, and Kcuti comes across extremely well. I was worried during his first appearance with RTD at that event, but since watching a couple of his performances and him appearing so positive and delightful during his twitter Q&A I’m much more hopeful. A world away from Jodie beginning her tenure by saying Dr Who was ‘a practice in the male gaze’ before she’d even filmed a scene.

If RTD pitches it right, and lays off the current day politics, just lightly touching on them as he did back in 2005 which was never heavy handed, AND waves off The Timeless Children either very expressly (doubtful) or with a sentence which essentially destroys it (much more likely) Who could be saved. This is something I did not think I would be saying.
 
I have no issue with Disney+. It will make it easier for me to watch DoccyHu and hopefully they will be able to put some money into the effort to animate missing episodes. It's pretty clear now why BBCAmerica pulled out of funding them now.

Re: The Timeless Child, Chibbers pretty much ignored that entire storyline in his finale, so it is doubtful RTD will do anything with it.
 
I have no issue with Disney+. It will make it easier for me to watch DoccyHu and hopefully they will be able to put some money into the effort to animate missing episodes. It's pretty clear now why BBCAmerica pulled out of funding them now.

Re: The Timeless Child, Chibbers pretty much ignored that entire storyline in his finale, so it is doubtful RTD will do anything with it.

The money Disney can pump into it compared with BBC America is huge, which is obviously great. In fact even from that tiny teaser we got of the next series it was really obvious it looked much more expensive which I just thought was the BBC really trying its best before having to cancel the series (which was definitely on the table before RTD came back.) But it makes perfect sense now.

I really think The Timeless Children cannot be ignored like, say, the half human thing was. It was such a gross lore change / violation, depending on your view, changing 60 years of a beloved show in 45 minutes, most of which was explained in clips with a voiceover (yes I know lore has changed and progressed over time but the TC was insane) that it has to be addressed. I’d like a total retcon but I’d settle for a few words about the master being a liar and then forgetting the whole vile affair had ever happened.

Glad D+ will make it easier for you, that’s certainly a plus (lol lol, I’m a comedy genius!) it does make me laugh when some of my fellow Brits coo about us getting it free on the BBC. If free is £130 a year fee everyone with a TV hocked up to get traditional tv or even use the BBC iplayer BY LAW is free then my name if Susan.
 
Decided to start watching on D+ next year. My son watched the first season of the reboot years ago. I decided to try watching the original DW on BritBox to educate myself. First episodes of season 1 with the cavemen and the search for fire are … trippy.

Don’t mean to de-rail the conversation. 🤙🏻 Just sharing.
 
Decided to start watching on D+ next year. My son watched the first season of the reboot years ago. I decided to try watching the original DW on BritBox to educate myself. First episodes of season 1 with the cavemen and the search for fire are … trippy.

Don’t mean to de-rail the conversation. 🤙🏻 Just sharing.
Woah, you went deep cut. First of all, are you sure you don’t want to start from the 2005 reboot onwards? That first season with Christopher Eccelston was a mixed bag, especially the 3rd and 4th episodes, but when it’s good it’s absolutely amazing (see ‘Dalek’, ‘The Empty Child’, ‘The Doctor Dances’, ‘The Parting Of The Ways’) and Chris is genius as the Dr. Then of course you go into the David Tennant and Matt Smith eras which are all mostly brilliant. It’s all great up until when the 11th regenerates into the 12th. THEN I would stop there and dive into classic Who.

Whether you do watch the reboot or not, when getting into Classic Who, if I were you I would go all the way up to Tom Baker, the 4th Dr’s first series immediately, starting with the story ‘Robot’ (that story isn’t that great to be honest so please don’t let it put you off, that season gets REALLY good, especially the second story following Robot.)

Work your way through Tom Baker’s 4th, Peter’s 5th Dr, the 6th (although beware some of his stuff struggled with both writing and budget, although there is some amazing stuff still) then 7th (his first season is the worst of Classic Who BUT don’t be discouraged, they realised they’d gone in completely the wrong direction with him and therefore his second season with companion ACE is awesome and his final is some of the best WHO ever written and he becomes one of the best actors to take the job, which is almost unbelievable when you watch that first season of his.) Finally the 8th Doctor movie.

Once you’ve got through all of that, go all the way back to the 3rd Doctor and work backwards to 2nd and then 1st.

I always suggest this method because although as you’ll already be aware these are BBC pretty low budget productions from the 60s-80s, the black and white 60s stuff is very niche and hard to get into. You might find it a novelty for a bit but you will very likely find yourself getting bored.

You need to start with Tom onwards which was when the show became one of the most popular in the UK. A lot of the effects will still look very dated but the writing on most of the seasons is FANTASTIC and far far better than most of today’s TV. Some of the 4ths seasons, the last 5th Doc season, the final 7th Dr season at least have some of the best writing of any television ever. It’s such a very intelligent, fascinating, learn’ed and exciting Tv series, hence it’s lasted for 60 years (although god knows how it’s made it through the last 5 disastrous years, praying it’s being fully repaired again now with the new/old team for the 60th.)

By the time you’ve finished the 7th Doctor and the one off 8th Dr Movie you’ll be in love with the show and the 3rd, 2nd and 1st stories will suddenly become properly appealing to watch all of.

Keep us updated on how you get on! I’m always excited when someone new starts their WHO journey.
 
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Woah, you went deep cut. First of all, are you sure you don’t want to start from the 2005 reboot onwards? That first season with Christopher Eccelston was a mixed bag, especially the 3rd and 4th episodes, but when it’s good it’s absolutely amazing (see ‘Dalek’, ‘The Empty Child’, ‘The Doctor Dances’, ‘The Parting Of The Ways’) and Chris is genius as the Dr. Then of course you go into the David Tennant and Matt Smith eras which are all mostly brilliant. It’s all great up until when the 11th regenerates into the 12th. THEN I would stop there and dive into classic Who.

Whether you do watch the reboot or not, when getting into Classic Who, if I were you I would go all the way up to Tom Baker, the 4th Dr’s first series immediately, starting with the story ‘Robot’ (that story isn’t that great to be honest so please don’t let it put you off, that season gets REALLY good, especially the second story following Robot.)

Work your way through Tom Baker’s 4th, Peter’s 5th Dr, the 6th (although beware some of his stuff struggled with both writing and budget, although there is some amazing stuff still) then 7th (his first season is the worst of Classic Who BUT don’t be discouraged, they realised they’d gone in completely the wrong direction with him and therefore his second season with companion ACE is awesome and his final is some of the best WHO ever written and he becomes one of the best actors to take the job, which is almost unbelievable when you watch that first season of his.) Finally the 8th Doctor movie.

Once you’ve got through all of that, go all the way back to the 3rd Doctor and work backwards to 2nd and then 1st.

I always suggest this method because although as you’ll already be aware these are BBC pretty low budget productions from the 60s-80s, the black and white 60s stuff is very niche and hard to get into. You might find it a novelty for a bit but you will very likely find yourself getting bored.

You need to start with Tom onwards which was when the show became one of the most popular in the UK. A lot of the effects will still look very dated but the writing on most of the seasons is FANTASTIC and far far better than most of today’s TV. Some of the 4ths seasons, the last 5th Doc season, the final 7th Dr season at least have some of the best writing of any television ever. It’s such a very intelligent, fascinating, learn’ed and exciting Tv series, hence it’s lasted for 60 years (although god knows how it’s made it through the last 5 disastrous years, praying it’s being fully repaired again now with the new/old team for the 60th.)

By the time you’ve finished the 7th Doctor and the one off 8th Dr Movie you’ll be in love with the show and the 3rd, 2nd and 1st stories will suddenly become properly appealing to watch all of.

Keep us updated on how you get on! I’m always excited when someone new starts their WHO journey.

(plus, some of the very early seasons are not complete, there are only still pictures and some sound, and for some not even that)

Good advice! I am one of those fans that first started the show with Christopher Eccleston, so the new stuff.

Since I had no trouble watching Sixties Star Trek TOS for the first time in 2015 despite it also being old fashioned and wobbly sets, I thought how hard can classic Who be and also started right with the first but gave up 5 or 6 episodes in. It really is very slow, although interesting to see the first Daleks etc.

A friend once showed me a Fourth Doctor episode, something with a painting in Paris perhaps? It's been a long time but I liked that one.

Peter Davison was once announced for a convention so I decided to watch some episodes with him. Is there one with twin boys? I found that one also boring as the plot did not move forward. It reminded me of daily soaps of which I had to endure some episodes (for young Richard Dean Anderson after becoming a fan via "MacGyver" and "Stargate SG-1") and I felt that the same thing kept being repeated even though I got it the first time and wanted to know what happens next, and it all felt really drawn out. So I gave up again.

I am currently making my way through the Third Doctor, simply for the fact that I fell in love with his son Sean Pertwee in "Gotham" and wanted to see his dad everyone is talking about. For many Three is their favorite Doctor and I can sure see why. I started out looking for similarities between the two (which there certainly are) but very quickly fell in love with him as himself, if that makes sense.

I haven't left Earth yet, but I really don't mind, I don't understand why everyone finds Earth bound episodes boring. I like them. But I need to find the main guy charming. Which, unfortunately, I did not in Peter Capaldi's case (even though I loved him in Torchwood's "Children of Earth").
 
Decided to start watching on D+ next year. My son watched the first season of the reboot years ago. I decided to try watching the original DW on BritBox to educate myself. First episodes of season 1 with the cavemen and the search for fire are … trippy.

Don’t mean to de-rail the conversation. 🤙🏻 Just sharing.
That first cavemen story is a bit trippy alright.

I'd recommend you watch the first Dalek story, followed by The Dalek invasion of earth, The Aztecs, The time meddler and The Tenth planet.

Tomb of the Cybermen, The Abominable snowman and The war games are terrific Troughton stories.

Jon Pertwee's first season is essential viewing, along with Terror of the autons, The time warrior and The green death.

Tom Baker's first four seasons are for me, still the best the show has ever been, especially his second and third seasons...Pure bliss.

Through in 80's stories The caves of androzani, Revelation of the daleks, Remembrance of the daleks and The greatest show in the galaxy, along with McCoys final season, and your done.☺️
 
(plus, some of the very early seasons are not complete, there are only still pictures and some sound, and for some not even that)

Good advice! I am one of those fans that first started the show with Christopher Eccleston, so the new stuff.

Since I had no trouble watching Sixties Star Trek TOS for the first time in 2015 despite it also being old fashioned and wobbly sets, I thought how hard can classic Who be and also started right with the first but gave up 5 or 6 episodes in. It really is very slow, although interesting to see the first Daleks etc.

A friend once showed me a Fourth Doctor episode, something with a painting in Paris perhaps? It's been a long time but I liked that one.

Peter Davison was once announced for a convention so I decided to watch some episodes with him. Is there one with twin boys? I found that one also boring as the plot did not move forward. It reminded me of daily soaps of which I had to endure some episodes (for young Richard Dean Anderson after becoming a fan via "MacGyver" and "Stargate SG-1") and I felt that the same thing kept being repeated even though I got it the first time and wanted to know what happens next, and it all felt really drawn out. So I gave up again.

I am currently making my way through the Third Doctor, simply for the fact that I fell in love with his son Sean Pertwee in "Gotham" and wanted to see his dad everyone is talking about. For many Three is their favorite Doctor and I can sure see why. I started out looking for similarities between the two (which there certainly are) but very quickly fell in love with him as himself, if that makes sense.

I haven't left Earth yet, but I really don't mind, I don't understand why everyone finds Earth bound episodes boring. I like them. But I need to find the main guy charming. Which, unfortunately, I did not in Peter Capaldi's case (even though I loved him in Torchwood's "Children of Earth").
The story was City of Death, penned by the great Douglas Adams.
 
(plus, some of the very early seasons are not complete, there are only still pictures and some sound, and for some not even that)

Good advice! I am one of those fans that first started the show with Christopher Eccleston, so the new stuff.

Since I had no trouble watching Sixties Star Trek TOS for the first time in 2015 despite it also being old fashioned and wobbly sets, I thought how hard can classic Who be and also started right with the first but gave up 5 or 6 episodes in. It really is very slow, although interesting to see the first Daleks etc.

A friend once showed me a Fourth Doctor episode, something with a painting in Paris perhaps? It's been a long time but I liked that one.

Peter Davison was once announced for a convention so I decided to watch some episodes with him. Is there one with twin boys? I found that one also boring as the plot did not move forward. It reminded me of daily soaps of which I had to endure some episodes (for young Richard Dean Anderson after becoming a fan via "MacGyver" and "Stargate SG-1") and I felt that the same thing kept being repeated even though I got it the first time and wanted to know what happens next, and it all felt really drawn out. So I gave up again.

I am currently making my way through the Third Doctor, simply for the fact that I fell in love with his son Sean Pertwee in "Gotham" and wanted to see his dad everyone is talking about. For many Three is their favorite Doctor and I can sure see why. I started out looking for similarities between the two (which there certainly are) but very quickly fell in love with him as himself, if that makes sense.

I haven't left Earth yet, but I really don't mind, I don't understand why everyone finds Earth bound episodes boring. I like them. But I need to find the main guy charming. Which, unfortunately, I did not in Peter Capaldi's case (even though I loved him in Torchwood's "Children of Earth").

Ah ha, see! I knew it! Yes starting with the first 3 Doctors is very difficult, with the first two Drs being almost impossible until you're really, really into WHO and then they're interesting, but it takes watching everything else to get there. I've adored the show my entire life, for as long as I can remember, which is about when I was 4 in 1987, and I still have to be in a very particular mood for the black and white stuff.

Tom Baker's 4th Doctor has to be the Classic series kick off era or it's just too weird.

Being used to Trek TOS is great to get over the 70s/80s effects of Classic Who. The writing is the important thing. Stories like City Of Death (the 4th Doctor story you saw) The Ark In Space and Genesis Of The Daleks (also 4th Dr, from his first season) are genius stuff and you will love them, and there are so so many more examples of pure genius. Of course there is also rubbish which you'll know quickly when you see it.

The Twin Boys story you mention is a 6th Doctor (Colin Baker) story, which was broadcast as the final story of the 5th Doctor's final season immediately after Peter had regenerated, hence probably the mix up. That's called The Twin Dilemma and it's famously a dreadfully written and dreadfully directed story, so it's no surprise you didn't like that one. It's always at the very bottom of any fan votes for best stories.

It's not TOO bad to start with John Pertwee, but his seasons do have very long, slow six part stories which are also difficult to get into without a real love for WHO. He is Earth bound for most of his tenure. I forget when he finally gets The Tardis working again and he does go back to visiting alien places again, but it can be a little samey. That era is actually a VERY different show to the rest of WHO because of the army base, earth bound stuff going on so long.

I would STILL jump forward to Tom's era once you've finished your current 3rd Doc story. For one, you'll love Pertwee's stuff so much more once you've really got into everything, but you'll also start having a blast a lot quicker with Tom. Although of course TV being what it was back then nothing is as fast as the reboot, but then you know that from stuff like Trek.

You'll think Tom's first story Robot is ok I'd guess and then really enjoy the following story Arc In Space (creepy a f.) From then on it's a great, fun ride I have faith you'll love if you follow my little algorithm.

Any other advice on stories etc just ask. I never tired of chatting Dr Who (unless it's Jodie WhittakUGH.)
 
The Twin Boys story you mention is a 6th Doctor (Colin Baker) story, which was broadcast as the final story of the 5th Doctor's final season immediately after Peter had regenerated, hence probably the mix up. That's called The Twin Dilemma and it's famously a dreadfully written and dreadfully directed story, so it's no surprise you didn't like that one. It's always at the very bottom of any fan votes for best stories.
Right, for some reason I always mix up those two. So it was Colin Baker who was coming to the convention.

We have a TV channel in Germany which has Who day every Tuesday and is trending on Twitter with fans chatting, always one new episode and one classic one, and even in English with English subtitles which is VERY rare for German TV. Everything is dubbed here.

I just remembered I have seen one more random one there, but I am not sure anymore which Doctor or which companion that was. Large parts of the episode consisted of Earth cultures (the people were prisoners at that planet) doing their cultural dances for an audience.

It was tacky and full of clichés and hilarious at the same time and I found it very entertaining. You could clearly see how this is, after all, a children program that is supposed to educate children. And I found it quite progressive, looked at with today's eyes, how the female companion did do all those math equations and engineering stuff etc. so also a role model for little girls.

With the recent finale, it was indeed elderly Ace and Tegan that I enjoyed most of them all - each of their scenes were so funny and bad-ass and I wouldn't mind watching a spin-off with those two! It's not very often that you see elderly women doing action.

Ah, but I want to stick with Jon for... reasons, I want to see him having fun driving all those vehicles! I've also read his autobiography which is a very interesting read if you don't know it yet. A very interesting and multi-layered man. What a life!

(plus, to be honest, I am a little afraid to watch more classic Who as I then will be tempted to buy those 1/6th scale figures as well and where shall that end...)

I am actually dedicated to making my way through all old Star Trek series at the moment for which I am also a very late comer, but once I am finished with that I shall go back to the Whoniverse.

DSC06921.jpg
 
Woah, you went deep cut.
:LOL: I suppose so, but I read so much about everyone's favorite Doctor I figured I needed to see them all to appreciate the differences and know best what does, and does not, constitute true Doctor behavior going forward. To know that I need to at least watch some of all the Doctors.

And when I think Doctor Who, Tom Baker's face comes to mind first, probably because when I first learned of the character it was his face I saw so I'm assuming he was current at the time, so I need to at least watch some of his series. It's like when I think James Bond I immediately see Roger Moore's face.

My son watched when Christopher Eccelston was in the role so I know his one season fairly well. For whatever reason my son lost interest after him so we faded away from the series, going back briefly when Smith took over. I will definitely get though as much of the "new" Doctors (Tennant, Smith, Capaldi, and Whittaker) as I can.

Being a TOS Star Trek fan I think I'm drawn slightly more to the older shows, perhaps because of their limitations, so I'm not minding the classic sci-fi Brit TV education I'm getting. Plus I think I like the Doctor to be less likable and more of a jerk; kind of refreshing.

Thanks so much for the in-depth response, it will REALLY help!

 
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